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04/05/20 09:36 PM #11307    

 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

And my fave: 


04/06/20 06:32 AM #11308    

 

Jack Mallory

At the point where we have to say that there is no point to look to the President of the United States to set an example of leadership it should be very clear that we need a different President. Some justify his lies by claiming that all politicians lie. But no one can claim that every politician combines lying, incompetence, threats, slander, and other malfeasance like Trump.

To believe that every politician is as morally corrupt as Trump is to suggest that we lack the decency and integrity to govern ourselves. The next step might be the suggestion that we put leadership in the hands of supernatural powers or semi-sacred human demagogues. Neither has worked well, from the historical evidence. See the Inquisition, Al Qaeda, or Fascism.

********

Another beautiful and comforting piece of writing. If folks can't get through the paywall, let me know and I'll copy and paste. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-mudlarking.html?referringSource=articleShare

 


04/06/20 11:08 AM #11309    

 

Glen Hirose


04/06/20 11:09 AM #11310    

 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

The problem with your statements regarding Trump, Jack, is that, up until now, it has become apparent that many of our leaders have pretended to be as perfect as possible in order to win election. Their "perfect" personas when their surfaces were scratched (& scratched deeper contemporarily), have often been shockingly lackluster.  Scandalous, even. (Case in point: if you or I had a daughter, would you want her to work for Bill Clinton?) So, what we have grown to realize is that politics breeds hypocrites, who, in order to gain public approval, must carefully tiptoe around anything negative in their record or personality that might reveal who they really are. In tandem is the tiresome knowledge that professional politicians learn & polish the art of diplomacy (on steroids!) in order to appease enormous numbers of people. Thus,  it's become more important to consider what the candidate DOES where issues affect us most. I'm pretty sure that if Trump has committed to wearing a mask, nary a press conference or photo opp would go by where it wasn't harped on about his not wearing a mask!! Good for him to be honest & knock off the pretense. I dispise pretense & hypocrisy. 
The problem with your list of names designed to describe Trump is that they are arrived at subjectively through a resistant narrative just as the names Trump uses against his own enemies. Most can see that rhetoric for what it is: the game of politics. One side or the other sticks with the voters (these days) depending on which color Kool Aid one chooses to drink. Who will deliver on promises means more to me than how clean one's nose is. 

 


04/06/20 12:20 PM #11311    

 

Jack Mallory

"The problem with your list of names designed to describe Trump is that they are arrived at subjectively"

I have posted evidence, repeatedly, for every subjective opinion I have expressed regarding IMPOTUS. I have seen no contradictory evidence posted, although I have frequently asked for it. Nor have I seen any evidence that every politician combines lying, incompetence, threats, slander, and other malfeasance like Trump. 

I'll stand by my opinion, awaiting facts that refute it. 

********

I’m not sure what it means when Death Valley National Park has to close for a pandemic, but it can’t be good. Is this because it won't spread widely in the United States? Or because everything is under tremendous control?  Or because the numbers are going substantially down, not up? Or because anybody who wants a test can get a test? Not my words, Trump's. 

His nose is FAR from clean, and his promises far from fulfilled. 

 


04/06/20 12:35 PM #11312    

Wolfgang Voegeli

You might be interested in this website monitoring the spread and the effect of the virus worlwide: 

https://ncov2019.live


04/06/20 02:30 PM #11313    

 

Robert Hall

In re Nori's point that DJT is honest and without pretence I would have to agree that he is honestly incompetent, honestly dishonest, honestly insensitive to his fellow Americans' needs, honestly ignorant about world affairs, honestly incapable of learning from those whose expertise in their professions is greater than his, honestly only interested in continuing to flim flam those Americans who still hope against hope that after years of disappointment he will show some faint interest in learning how to be a unifier and, finally, he is honestly afraid of losing the election in November. As he should be.

04/06/20 02:47 PM #11314    

 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

I agree with you Robert. Trump remains honest about continuing in a way that has tragic consequences for so many of us. I see Nori sees him as the new normal standard to be excepted for a President. I hope in November it will be the end of this abuse of power and this total incompetence and abuse of those less fortunate in our society or those trying to become US citizens and of the undoing of safeguards to our environment.. Everything Obama has done he eliminates including putting Obamacare out there so people can enroll and have health insurance during this pandemic. Love joanie

04/06/20 03:03 PM #11315    

 

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

You beat me to it, Robert. "Good for him to be honest & knock off the pretense. I dispise pretense & hypocrisy." Really Nori? Trump is honest and you dispise pretense and hypocrisy, two of Trump's strongest traits. What parallel universe are you living in?


04/06/20 04:03 PM #11316    

 

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

And now, a small diversion, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5QI91aZFv0


04/06/20 04:42 PM #11317    

 

Barbara Gutheim (Isham)

Well...I don't respond often to this message forum but I have to throw in my 2 cents!   Nori, you know I've been married to a doctor for 52 years and this is one time when I'm healthy (not sick) and he has put his foot down!  In addition to just telling me what to do he has scared the crap out of me as far as where this epidemic might go and who will be harmed and what the numbers could rise to.   Even tho I can get peeved at the mandates for leaving the house, he is more of a role model for the behaviors we should exhibit and the choices we must make to get to the other side of this pandemic.  More of a role model than our wonderful President will ever be.  I don't like going to the grocery store in an N95 mask.  (But hey, I could save the masks that George bought early on for Halloween...I could go as a plasterer or painter.  That's what they are used for!). Oh...and also...the surgical gloves.  I even have to wash my glasses when I get home from the store.  And my glasses if I'm wearing Them.  And when we pull into the garage our outer jackets get left in the garage.  But hey I'm protecting myself and the people around me.  I'm also not going out to see if I can get the drug that Trump is talking about.  It is NOT a drug to be used for this virus.  Trump should stay penned into his very narrow area of expertise with regard to this issue. I wonder if he has ever taken off surgical gloves.  I had to learn how to take them off in a way that doesn't allow any germs to touch my skin.  I don't think he could sit still for that instruction.  By not being a role model in this environment that we are trying to figure out he does a great disservice to the American people.  I would hate to be living with Trump.  At least I know that if I listen to my husband I am probably safe...even if I do look like I just returned from outer space.  I look forward to having this pandemic behind us.  We have a ways to go yet.


04/06/20 05:07 PM #11318    

 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

Hi, Barb! Thanks for the chime-in. First off, it would have been politically better for Trump to say he would absolutely wear a mask. But it wouldn't have been true. I think he, as President, believes he should avoid stirring up public panic. To me, that is his intention. To Stephen that is his vanity. To you, that is his stupidity. When the man lies, he's maligned. When he speaks truthfully, he's maligned. And that, my friends, is how I see it. 
IMHO, Trump may think twice now that Boris Johnson has been admitted to the ICU today. 
(A big hello to George, Barb!) 


04/06/20 07:12 PM #11319    

 

Joan Ruggles (Young)

Heard this on a podcast we listen to on our walks. To envision how much money $2 trillion is. Counting it out by one dollar per second, it would take you 64,000 years to finish counting it. Geez!


04/06/20 08:01 PM #11320    

 

Jack Mallory

Good to hear from you Barbara!

Deb and I have been kayaking all afternoon. Not a Coronavirus in sight, so we spent a delightfully mask-free time following an eagle down the Suncook.

First day out for Deb this year. She traded a rainy weekend work day for a sunny day on the water today.


 

Spotted the eagle flying low down the river ahead of me, turned and yelled to Deb that I was "chasing an eagle!" To which she replied without missing a beat, "Of course you are, dear,"


 

Chased it up into a treetop. This is the point at which it saw me, gave me the stink eye.



 

Further down river

At one point it was heard to say something about wanting to give up the national symbol gig until after Trump was out of office--maybe a turkey buzzard could fill in until next January. 

Two acetaminophen for my shoulders getting home, two more at bedtime, probably two more at 3 am! 

Deb doesn't really paddle and whirl a hula hoop simultaneously. She picks up trash wherever we kayak.

 

 


04/06/20 08:06 PM #11321    

 

Nora Skinker (Morton)

    Wow, that's amazing, Joan. And apparently another emergency package is in the making to further help Americans until they can find their footing. Impressive. 
    Today a sobering event happened right here on our beach in New Smyrna. The body of a young man washed up on the beach, literally in front of our condo. After a local man tried mouth to mouth & another placed a frantic call, a team of paramedics arrived & tried very hard to revive him but to no avail. He was gone. Ironically, yesterday the governor relaxed some of the restrictions on beaches - barring groups of sunbathers but allowing recreational exercise such as swimming, biking, walking & fishing along the shoreline. Unfortunately, they did not reinstate the lifeguards. Life's bitch, ain't it? 

     
      
 


04/06/20 09:03 PM #11322    

 

Jack Mallory

If you keep changing promises, eventually one will get fulfilled. I know some of you really like memes! I did check these, both quotes are good.

 

*********

More of the leadership clusterfuck that the Trump administration brings to our national defense. 
 

"In the close-knit world of the American military, the crisis aboard the Roosevelt — known widely as the “T.R.”— generated widespread criticism from men and women who are usually careful to steer clear of publicly rebuking their peers.

Mr. Modly’s decision to remove Captain Crozier without first conducting an investigation went contrary to the wishes of both the Navy’s top admiral, Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, and the military’s top officer, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I am appalled at the content of his address to the crew,” retired Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said in a telephone interview, referring to Mr. Modly.

Mr. Modly, Admiral Mullen said, “has become a vehicle for the president. He basically has completely undermined, throughout the T.R. situation, the uniformed leadership of the Navy and the military leadership in general.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/us/politics/coronavirus-navy-secretary-roosevelt-crozier.html?referringSource=articleShare


04/07/20 09:37 AM #11323    

 

Robert Hall

Thanks for the shared photos. They allow us to "travel" a bit!

04/07/20 10:22 AM #11324    

 

Jay Shackford

 

The firing of Captain Brett Crozier as commanding officer of the $4.5 billion (in 2007 dollars) nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt brings back memories of one of my favorite films from childhood – Mr. Roberts.

Captain Crozier – like Mr. Roberts—was beloved by his crew of 5,000 sailors who cheered wildly and gave him a standing ovation as he walked down the plank for the final time. 

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly matches up perfectly with the captain in Mr. Roberts (played by James Cagney).  In addressing the Theodore Roosevelt’s crew, the “acting” secretary of the Navy called Captain Crozier “too naïve or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this.”  

What in the world was Crozier’s crime or misbehavior that deserved such criticism and action to relieve him from his duties as commander of one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated  nuclear aircraft carriers – a job that requires proven experience in piloting huge aircraft carriers as well as knowledge and understanding of nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.  The number of Navy captains that have those two skills are few and far between.  

Well, Captain Crozier pleaded for help and decisive action from the Navy after a Covid-19 outbreak on his carrier infected 114 of his crew.  Like Mr. Roberts, he spoke truth to power and put the welfare of his crew above his career.  

I think that it’s time for Ensign Frank Pulver (played in the 1955 movie by Jack Lemmon, who threw overboard the Captain's beloved palm tree) to throw Acting Secretary Modly  (who is a tool of our bat-shit crazy President and was doing what he thought the President wanted) overboard.  Better yet, let’s throw Old Bone Spurs overboard.  

 

 

 


04/07/20 12:28 PM #11325    

 

Glen Hirose

James Richard Austin  

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, James Richard Austin, on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the age of 74, at his home in Rockville, MD. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Carol Greisbach, the love of his life and best friend, in January, 2017. Born in Bethesda, MD, on September 30, 1945, Jim was the son of William C. Austin, Sr. and Mildred (Warfield) Austin. He grew up in Bethesda, MD, and attended B-CC High School, where he played football and ran track, graduating in 1964. He attended Montgomery Junior College, where he met Carol, and the University of Maryland, graduating in 1968. Jim and Carol married in August of 1969, and both spent many years working for the Marriott Corporation in hotels in Texas, Florida, Kentucky, and Virginia before returning to Maryland. Jim and Carol spent much of their free time buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and everything Washington Redskins, plus loving their cats, playing cards, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Family was very important to Jim, and he was the son who was the point guard for his parents' last years. Jim and Carol joined the Elks Club and helped in many fundraisers over the years.
Jim is survived by his four siblings, William Austin, Jr. and his wife, Susanne, of Burtonsville, MD, Robert Austin and his wife, Jean, of Burtonsville, MD, Edward Austin of Hawthorne, CA, and Judy Goff and her husband, Peter, of Granby, CT. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Rehrig, Laura Lambert, William E. Austin, Lisa Boothe, Kathy Yakubik, and her husband, Jeff, Corey Goff, Kevin Goff, and Shannon Ball and her husband, Jamie; as well as grand nieces and nephews, Justin Hopkins, Evan Lambert, Logann Boothe, Keelynn Boothe, Zachary Yakubik, Cooper Yakubik, Genevieve Goff, and Joseph Ball.
 
Published in The Washington Post on Jan. 20, 2020

04/07/20 01:37 PM #11326    

 

Joanie Bender (Grosfeld)

I agree with the recent posts of Jack and Jay about the firing of Crozier and how awful that was...He was just trying to save his crew members from getting sick or even dying. What a nobel thing he was doing. As he said they were not at war and soldiers shouldn't have to die....Then I want to say that I am very sorry about the death of James Richard Austin that Glen posted. . I didn't know him but I am very sorry. stay well all and Love, Joanie


04/07/20 02:19 PM #11327    

 

Jerome Weiner (Bookin-Weiner)

Very saddened to hear that my teammate Jim Austin passed in January.  He is missed.


04/07/20 02:37 PM #11328    

 

Jay Shackford

Sad to hear about the passing of Jim Austin.  He was a good athlete and teammate on the football team.  He played split end, or whatever they called that position back in those days.  He also ran track.  Was very fast as I recall.  Remember talking to him during the 50th reunion celebration.   He was a good guy.  Thanks Glen for posting the obit.  


04/07/20 02:42 PM #11329    

 

Helen Lambie (Goldstein)

Yes, thanks, Glen, for letting us know about Jim. I remember him well.

Received from my ex this morning:

 


04/07/20 02:46 PM #11330    

 

Joan Ruggles (Young)

Here's a long but thoughtful opinion peice by a former TV producer about the deuling daily reality shows - The DT show and the Cuomo show. This guy knows TV so his perspective is informed. 

https://www.bedlamfarm.com/2020/04/02/the-cuomo-brothers-versus-the-president-what-a-show/?fbclid=IwAR19U1Qh6IxnFGakyrXc0bGiZzPQF2Amgh0mPDCQ2ZN5Fr11hWZwxei9W7c

Meanwhile here in LA we are required to wear face masks at all times when outside the house, but now we have been told not to leave the house at all even for grocery shopping. I guess that's what it will take to flatten the curve. I'm sad to hear there are states where no such stay at home orders are in place and where beaches are still open. 


04/07/20 03:17 PM #11331    

 

Jay Shackford

From The New York Times:

This Is What Happens When a Narcissist Runs a Crisis

Trump’s catastrophic performance has as much to do with psychology as ideology.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/opinion/trump-coronavirus.html?smid=em-share
 
 
 
 
 

 


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